Articles in June 2017

You’re finally finished with high school and college bound this fall. Getting a credit card before you hit the books come September may be on your to-do list for the next months, but be aware that it’s not as simple as signing on the dotted line and getting a card in the mail.

If I said that identity theft is no fun, it would be a lot like telling you the sky is blue and water is wet — a bit of an understatement. Identity theft is one of the most devastating things that can happen financially, but it’s also far more common than a lot of people realize. About 15 million U.S. consumers were affected by identity fraud in 2016, according to a study by Javelin Strategy & Research. In total, about $16 billion was stolen from those victims.

By the time most people are old enough to open a credit card, they’ve undoubtedly heard countless cautionary tales of friends and family members who dug themselves into debt, faced hefty interest rates after not reading the fine print, or destroyed their credit scores with a few poor decisions.

Compared to merely renting, financing an owned residence can be quite the monetary commitment. Luckily, through mortgage loans, homeowners can break the total cost of their home into regular payments over the course of a number of years, taking a fair amount of the immediate financial burden off their back in exchange for accumulated interest over time. In this infographic, you’ll find a rundown on the different types of mortgage loans available to homeowners as well as information on what you c

When it comes to credit cards, it’s easy to lose track of your budget and run up a balance. In fact, the average credit card debt per cardholder in the United States is $4,061. If you have a high-interest credit card, your balance can grow over time, increasing your minimum payment and making it difficult stay on track.

Earning cash back or airline rewards are two major credit card perks, but they are not the only ones that credit cards offer. That little piece of plastic in your wallet can do a lot more for you, if you don’t shortchange yourself. Read on for a list of lesser-known credit card perks.

If you’re interviewing for a new job, you know the importance of a polished resume, personalized cover letter, professional interview attire, and preparedness. One of the most overlooked factors that can affect your chances of getting a job is your credit.

My original foray into credit card rewards stemmed from a targeted mailer for the Chase Freedom® card. I was in my late 20’s and money was tight. With the Chase Freedom® card, I learned, I could score an initial signup bonus ($100 at the time) and earn 1-5 percent cash back for every dollar I spent. Needless to say, I was pumped to try it out.

One of the first — and most important — steps of any job is deciding which tool will be most effective for that task. While a hammer is great for driving nails into a wall, it doesn’t work quite as well when you’re trying to apply a fresh coat of paint.

It can be incredibly hard to get out of credit card debt. As unsecured debt, credit card interest rates are generally much higher than those for a home or a car. Unlike a home mortgage or a student loan, the interest charges for credit card debt are never tax deductible. Finally, many people rely on their card’s line of credit to pay for everyday expenses, further increasing the debt that they are trying to pay off.

It may be complicated, but understanding how credit card interest and annual percentage rates work is really in your best interest. It’s hard to win at the credit card game and make the best possible financial choices for you without a solid comprehension of what terms like interest rate, compound interest and APR mean. Luckily, you don’t need a degree in finance to understand the acronyms on your billing statement.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, right? Many credit card companies try to entice customers with rewards such as cash back, free hotel stays, or travel perks — but almost everything comes at a cost.

There’s no doubt that the Chase Freedom is one of the most popular reward credit cards of the last decade. With no annual fee, it’s been Chase’s entry level rewards card that you will find in a huge percentage of American Wallets. Most people just seem to like its formula of offering 5x rewards on up to $1,500 spent each quarter at featured merchants, and 1x elsewhere.

If you’re a fresh graduate right out of college, life can feel overwhelming right now. You just finished four years (or more) of school and now have to face problems like finding a job, moving into your own apartment and paying down student loans. Getting a credit card is probably not a priority right now, but not having a credit card can make life more difficult.

There are times when taking it to the limit is a good thing — like when you’re racing in the Indy500, for instance, or finishing your first marathon. When it comes to credit card limits, the best policy is to keep your distance.

Credit cards are like a stick of dynamite: They’re incredibly effective at their intended purpose, but they can blow up in your face when used inappropriately. When you're in the market for a new credit card, the possibilities seem infinite. Countless banks and credit card companies offer dozens of different deals, and every card delivers distinct terms, rates, and fine print.

While I write about nearly every rewards card under the sun each year, there’s one card I recommend more than any other. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card continually stands out due to its lucrative rewards program, fair fee structure, and versatility.

Several factors influence a credit score and how the score is determined. The higher the credit score the better chance the consumer will have to be approved for lower interest loans and prime credit cards. Along with approval odds, your credit score may have a factor in whether you are hired for your dream job or utility rates for cable, internet, etc. In this infographic, you’ll find a rundown of the different aspects that make up your credit score and how you can improve your score. Read on

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